The Bihar Legislative Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the health department’s budget for the financial year 2026‑27, amounting to ₹21,270.40 crore. Of this, ₹10,032.7 crore has been allocated for scheme expenditures and ₹11,237.4 crore for establishment and committed expenses.
Health Minister Mangal Pandey said the budget is a significant step toward strengthening the state’s health infrastructure, modernizing hospitals, and expanding rural healthcare services.
The minister highlighted that Bihar’s infant mortality rate has fallen to 23, the under‑five mortality rate is now 27, and the maternal mortality ratio stands at 104. The fertility rate has declined from 3.4 to 2.8, and immunization coverage has reached nearly 93%. He added that the state’s health index is performing well at the national level.
Roadmap for Hospital and Service Reforms
District hospitals to be developed as super‑specialty hospitals.
Block‑level health centers to be upgraded into specialty hospitals.
PMCH and IGIMS to be developed as world-class medical centers.
New medical colleges to adopt a PPP model.
Incentives for doctors serving in rural areas.
Construction of 50‑bed AYUSH hospitals in seven districts.
Increase in availability of free medicines at government hospitals.
GPS-enabled medicine delivery vehicles to be deployed in all districts.
Recruitment Drive
Over 44,321 posts in the health department are currently under recruitment, including:
14,060 ANMs
Staff nurses and pharmacists
Junior and senior residents
Dentists and nursing tutors
Minister Pandey assured that these appointments would be completed within the next year.
RJD legislator Alok Mehta raised concerns about middlemen in hospitals directing patients to private facilities. The minister’s response was deemed unsatisfactory by some members.
Ruling party members, however, claimed that government efforts have led to improvements in health services, with Bihar ranking among the top states on several health indicators.
Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav remained absent throughout the session. His absence rendered the opposition boycott ineffective, allowing the budget to pass without controversy.
The ₹21,270 crore health budget for Bihar focuses on upgrading government hospitals, expanding free medicines, recruiting healthcare staff, and strengthening rural health centers.
